Hello,

I have search a few forums and couldn't find a definitive answer to my question and I posted it also in the wattage group. So here it is :

We know that a downward profile is a good predictor for a sprinter, flat = allrounder, inverted V = pursuit or untrain TT and an upward = time trialist. What would a cyclocross power profile look like ?

So far I found that cyclocross demands are somewhat the same as a criterium. Then again I don't know what a crit specialist profile would look like.

I know repeatability is key in crit and cross. And that technique is a very good component of being good at cross.

I enjoy cross and will continue to do so. I'm an inverted V with very humble numbers (5s = 13.436 w/kg, 1m = 7.167, 5m = 5.000 and 20m = 4.008)

Seeking your wisdom, thanks to all.

i dunno dont get too technical with cyclocross because it involves stuff that's like.... not even power related. Ie , how's your running with holding a suitcase profile look like? or technical ability through turns and stuff. For entry level cx which is what i assume you are talking about, some of the technical things are more important and will give you most gains during the race. But all in all, just have fun. semi-joking aside. quick recovery is important, but i dunno what that relates too...high ftp maybe? so you can recover when others are in the red. i find that cx is similar to a crit where you have to deal with surges and not drop the wheel in front of you if you are in a pack. Then when the pack blows up in cx which it does after turn 1, you race your own race which so often means sprinting for 42nd place. lol

Forget the power profiling, different racers will race differently. Some racers are like a diesel some are like dragsters. First and most important is FTP, its an aerobic sport and the bigger your engine the easier it is to stay up front. If the front group is averaging 350w and your FTP is only 350w then you are going to get dropped. The second most important area is 15s - 1m repeatably or Anaerobic capacity. This is highly trainable but does take a lot of intense work. The third most important area is VO2max for the first lap.

Keep in mind this is only looking at the power needed not technical aspects. I can tell you from my files my fastest laps and not the ones with the highest average power. Being smooth can make a big difference.

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2 Serotta's, 1 Spectrum, 1 Van Dessel, 1 Parlee & 1 Carl Strong, & 1 Titus.

Thanks Rockdude, that is what I was hoping I would get for an answer. I know my limitations and don't think I will ever win many if any races. I do however want to be as good as I can get. My first goal is not getting lapped and then we'll see from there

I'm mountain biker converted to roadie converting to cross.

I have experienced first hand the vitues of being strong technically.

I agree with rockdude

I have no experience in CX but it does look like xc mtb in some aspects.

I am a XCO mtb racer myself, and my training focus is on FTP and AWC.

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Amen. Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.